Nothing appeals to the academic more than a celebrity rewarding academic excellence. And that’s exactly what Adekunle Gold recently did.
On July 19, the 38-year-old artiste decided to switch the mic and recording booth for the pen and book with a post on X which read:
“If you graduated with First class, post your transcripts.”
In other words, he rallied brilliant Nigerian youths—those who graduated from tertiary institutions with a CGPA of 4.50 or higher—with the promise of ₦250 million in prize money.
As of this writing, only five people have caught his attention. They hail from the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Babcock University, University of Ibadan (UI) and Federal University of Agriculture (FUNAAB).
But not everyone is entirely happy. Some Nigerians are reminding dear Adekunle that his fandom cuts across the full academic demographic—including those with lesser-than-First Class CGPAs.
“Na only first class Dey listen to your songs?” decried Muiz, an X user.
“If you get first class you for no choose music na,” wrote another X user in an even angrier tone.
On that, Gold holds a degree in Arts and Designs from Lagos State Polytechnic.
One user thought it perfect to use the opportunity to criticize the Nigerian economic system with the words: “Omo over 2000 first class graduates yet less than 70% have a good paying job to show of it, Naija don spoil finish.”
The mixed reactions are unsurprising. On the internet there’s no pleasing everyone, and Gold’s effort at doing good just recently found that out.